lymph node question

[jennymd27]

Hi, I am a 27 year old female.  I have a slightly enlarged lymph node on the right side of my neck. It is soft and moves around.  I have had it for probably close to a year, and I touch the thing constantly. I do not have any other symptoms
such as  drenching night sweats, fevers, weight loss, or fatigue.  In fact, I have managed to clear the HPV virus and only got one cold this past winter.  I do however, have very bad health anxiety and cancer phobia.  I am really worried about this now because I'm seeing a hemotologist for the first time because of a von williebrand's diagnosis I recently received.  I am so afraid she will do a blood test and tell me I have lymphoma or leukemia.  I am on the verge of cancelling the appointment.  Could I possiby have these things with no other symptoms for a year?? Thank you for reading this and I appreciate any positive feedback...

[DebM412]

Anytime. I completly understand! :)

Take good care!

Deb

[jennymd27]

Hi Deb,

It is so nice to know that I am not the only person who has this kind of anxiety. My freinds and family just laugh at me or tell me to stop it, but I can't stop worrying!! I am a mental health professional so I know exactly whats going on...So thank yoiu for sharing with me.  I spent 2 hours in the hemotologist office.  She did a CBC, abd I am terrified of what they are going to find!! I am so scared they are going to call me and tll me I might have cancer.  Other than that my appointment went well and she is able to help me with my blood disorder.Thanks again for the support and listening to my anxious chit chat...

Jen

[DebM412]

I am not totally over my anxiety but I started to focus on other things. Over 1 1/2 years ago I started running and now I am training for an October marathon. I lost almost 40 pounds and lift weights 2X per week. I put my energy into getting healthy and I thought if I were ill I would not have the stamina or endurance to do the running I am doing. When I don't touch my nodes they get small. I have never let them go completly back to normal because I touch them once per day to check on them. So, you see I am still anxious. Try to focus your attention on something positive that interests you. Let me know how the doc appt goes. Take care! :)

Deb

[jennymd27]

Deb,

Hi thanks so much for the response.  I know deep down that I'm fine.  I have an appointment with a hemotologist tomorrow,and blood work totally freaks me out.  They could find anything, and this lymph node is adding to my anxiety.  I keep telling myself that I have had the thing so long, I owuld be losing weight.  My right tonsil has also been enlarged for a few years as I have had many throat and upper respiratory infections.  How did you get over this anxiety???  I thinkI have to stay off the internet and stop touching my node like you said.  I am just hoping that they don't find anything  weird in my blood work. I am a nervous wreck...Thanks again for your response.

Jenny

[DebM412]

Hi Jenny,

I can totally understand your anxiety over the lymph node. I too have the same issues. It sounds like your lymph node is small and moveable which is a good thing. Sometimes when our lymph nodes get a bit bigger it is in response to something that our body is fighting off and we may or may not get sick. When this happens the nodes may never return to its undetectable size but it will still function properly. Note: the more often you touch it, squeeze it and play with it the bigger it will get. If you leave it alone it will recede in size. They are very sensitive. Try leaving it alone and only touch it GENTLY if you have to but limit this to once a day. I think it is normal and you are fine.

Debbie